Guide to Guilt-Free and Non-Selfish Protection Alternatives for Your Skin as well as the Corals

Is Your Sunscreen Saving Your Skin but Harming the Environment?

It’s summer time again on this part of the world. The sun has been meaner more than ever and thus requiring more potent sun-protection additives to sunscreens. When going out to buy one for your upcoming summer adventures in the beach, please also consider the effects this may have on our underwater friends especially the corals. It’s not enough that the label reads “organic”.

Be mindful of the ingredient called oxybenzone. This is component found in many sunscreen products as well as shampoo and mascara. It is a very dangerous component which can cause severe deformity in corals and even death to these underwater creatures. Per MarineSafe.Org, one drop of this substance is equivalent to six and a half Olympic-size swimming pools’ worth of water sufficient to damage coral. It’s that harmful to our underwater friends. It could also even be harmful enough to humans as this substance is being tagged as an endocrine disrupter, meaning it affects the hormones and reproductive functions of the user. Oxybenzone is currently being tagged as a product which meets the criteria for substances under high concern and is included in the list of substances which needs to be replaced. MarinSafe.org has published a list of chemicals commonly found in sunscreen lotions which may be beneficial to humans but are extremely deadly to corals. You may access the list on this link.

Military Cap / Hat from Dive Funatics

Next time you use a sunblock when you hit the waters, consider buying green brands. Or you may go to your garden and check your pantry. You can whip up some concoction free of petrochemicals and other artificial ingredients. For a natural water-resistant sun lotion, you may use the gel of an aloe vera and mix it with some beeswax, shea butter, olive oil, and rosemary extract– these are the common ingredients used in marine-approved sunscreens. And just wear a hat!

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Divefunatics is my first love. They have shaped me into the diver that I am now. No matter who or what center I dive with, #divefunatics is always on top of my credits. It's just natural to never forget what your first dive was like and the people who made it sure you had the best first dive ever. Having taken both OW and Advanced OW courses with them has not taken away that feeling. Every dive is still like the first, the only difference is the confidence they have built in me. Every dive is still like the first--euphoric, refreshing, invigorating... the moment I break the surface, it feels like being born again. Only Divefunatics could have hardwired that into me. I look forward to advancing my status with them this year, and you should, too.

They were perfect for me: responsive, accommodating & patient team. I recommend them highly most especially to those who like to try the sport but has issues/fear with the deep. They helped me gain more confidence with the water & I walked away feeling very accomplished...and of course with the certification!

Before I went to Cebu, I had contacted a few dive shops, but only Dive Funatics replied me very soon and answered all my questions. So I had decided to take my first Padi OW course with them and it turned out to be the best choice ever. Darwin and Rikka answered my emails and […]

Hey I joined their advanced open water and nitrox program. It s excellent the communication with Darwin the owner is very nice and professional. He really try to help you out and answers to your questions even if it has nothing to do with the diving. His team is very professional and makes you feel […]